Here are a couple of the benefits you’ll receive as an American Alpine Club Member:

7/16/2012, Golden, CO—The American Alpine Club’s Mountaineering Fellowship Committee recently announced ten selections for Spring 2012. The biannual award, begun in 1966, encourages climbers under the age of 25 to explore uncharted territory; award winners usually target unfrequented ranges, unclimbed peaks, or difficult new routes. While grants are not large enough to finance a trip entirely, the AAC hopes the money makes it possible for a few young climbers to gain experience in mountain areas that otherwise would be out of their reach.

The Mountaineering Fellowship Fund Selection Committee Chair, Eiichi Fukishima noted, “In this 46th year of the program, there are ten awards with amounts ranging up to $800. The vast majority of awards have been for climbs in the Americas—Alaska, Canada, and South America—which represents a natural progression for up-and-coming mountaineers and for which the limited grant amounts are significant and meaningful help. “

He continued, “This round of awards is notable for a higher number of applicants seeking funding to travel to Asia.”

This season, the AAC awarded $4,100 to 10 climbers attempting routes, old and new, from Peru to Canada to Pakistan.

Colin Bohannan (24), $300 from REI Challenge Fund for a new route on the east face of Cerro San Lorenzo, Patagonia.

Tim Gibson (24) and Jonathan Schaffer (23), $500 each for exploring new routes on and near Howser Tower in the Bugaboos, Canada.

Logan Jamison (21) and Joey Lambert (25), $300 each from REI Challenge Fund for a journey on foot, canoe, and kayak to a free ascent of the SE face of Lotus Flower Tower, Cirque of the Unclimbables, Canada.

The committee is comprised of Chair Eiichi Fukushima, Yvon Chouinard, James Funsten, Kestrel Hanson, Joe LaBelle, Pete Metcalf, Travis Spitzer, and Geoff Tabin and makes its selections twice a year, eight to ten weeks after the April 1 and November 1 deadlines. To learn more about the Mountain Fellowship Grants and the AAC’s other award programs, visit the AAC grants webpage.

In addition to the Mountaineering Fellowship Fund Awards, the AAC offers grants for everyday climbers attempting big-walls, new or notable free climbs, and alpine objectives. Of significant prominence is the Lyman Spitzer Cutting Edge Award, which offers funding to climbers pushing the limits of alpinism on new routes and significant repeats in the Greater Ranges. The annual application deadline for the Lyman Spitzer Grant is December 1st. A committee of three active climbers reviews the applications, selects the recipients, and decides on award amounts. For more details and specific application information for this and other AAC grants visit The American Alpine Club’s website.

About The American Alpine ClubThe American Alpine Club provides knowledge and inspiration, conservation and advocacy, and logistical support for the climbing community. The AAC advocates for American climbers domestically and around the world; provides grants and volunteer opportunities to protect and conserve the places we climb; hosts local and national climbing festivals and events; publishes two of the world’s most sought-after climbing annuals, The American Alpine Journal and Accidents in North American Mountaineering; cares for the world’s leading climbing library and country’s leading mountaineering museum; manages the Grand Teton Climbers’ Ranch as part of a larger lodging network for climbers; and annually gives $80,000+ toward climbing, conservation, and research grants to adventurers who travel the world. Learn about additional programs and become a member at americanalpineclub.org. Join the AAC’s online community at facebook.com/americanalpineclub.